1968 Aston Martin DB6 Volante

One of only 140 Volante-specification examples of the DB6, this wonderful motor car was registered by H.R. Owen to Mr I.M. Stoller of London, W1 in September 1968. Ordered in Platinum (White) with Dark Blue leather and a matching convertible roof. Non-standard equipment being a Borg Warner Automatic transmission, power assisted steering, chrome roadwheels, power operated aerial, three ear hubcaps and two lap safety belts.

It is believed Mr. Stoller exported his DB6 Volante abroad for a number of years before the car was repatriated in 1979 by Mr Philip Hatulja, now under the registration ‘GRA 679’. Mr Hatulja quickly parted with the volante after 2 weeks, selling it to Mr Graham Wilkins of London, SW1; who owned the car for a further seven years and resprayed it blue in 1980; before selling it to Aston Martin specialists R.S. Williams. In 1987, R.S. Williams sells the Volante now registered ‘YPF 865 G’ to Mr Giles Swarbeck, who owned it for a further seven years before passing it to Mr. Mogens Skjelmose in 1994; a well-known participant in historic motorsport. By 1999, the motorcar was now in the hands of Mr Richard Meins, whom lists the motorcar for sale with Desmond J Smail in 2002 and sells it to Mr Mark Ellis. Mr Ellis then sells the motorcar to Mr Timothy James Barker in 2008.

Mr Barker then embarks on a journey to perfect and preserve the vehicle, spending over £100,000 with the likes of Aston London Service, Marksdanes and Bell Classics. The most notable improvement being an upgrade from the Borg Warner Automatic transmission to a ZF 5 Speed supplied by Aston London Service in 2009, the unit alone at the time costing £10,000. The invoices show new wire wheels, Pirelli P4000 tyres, new Silencers, constant tuning and a major overhaul in 2009 with a full bare metal respray, strip, tending to the fuel tanks, hood, hood frame, clutch, suspension, brakes and chrome work to say the least. As the interior had been stripped for paint work, the interior received new wilton deep pile blue carpets and minor leather work. In 2013, Bell Classics rebuilt the gearbox, replaced the clutch and overhauled the carburettors. At some point under Mr Barker’s ownership the block had seized and replaced with the block from a vantage DBS, however the original matching numbers block comes with the motorcar and can be repaired.

The history file is comprehensive, containing a number of the older registration documents depicting all previous owners, a copy of the original build sheet, current and past MOT certificates, and copies of previous invoices from specialists such as Desmond Smail and Ken Shergold amongst others.

The older restoration has mellowed beautifully in the intervening years and the interior is original and well patina’d. Our DB6 Volante is ready to be enjoyed for the summer months and a great investment proposition.